Greetings,
We discussed several items with the TriMet representatives
last night at the “Working with TriMet” Coffee Klatch. For those of you who
couldn’t make it, please find a general summary below regarding the budget cut
process and advocating tips.
Budget Cut Process
·
Stage 1: Initial Public Input Online – Ends
Today!
The first stage of the public
input process ends today. Initial comments will be considered when TriMet
staff creates the initial cut proposal that will be presented to the TriMet
board on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Today is the last day of
this initial comment period. The public comment link from the TriMet home page
was removed. To comment, visit: http://trimet.org/choices/why-
·
Stage 2: Public Input at Feb. Open
Houses
After the initial proposal is
presented to the TriMet board, TriMet staff will hold some open houses in the
first half of February. These events will provide information about the
proposal submitted and take additional feedback from the public. Four open
houses are scheduled: Beaverton (Feb 11), Gresham (Feb 13), Portland (Feb 15)
and Clackamas (Feb 16). Open house details can be found at http://trimet.org/pdfs/
Portland’s Open House
Date: Monday, February 15,
2012
Time: 4:30 – 6:30
PM
Location: Portland Building Room
C, 1120 SW 5th Avenue
·
Stage 3: Legally Required Public
Hearings
An updated proposal will be
taken to the TriMet board in March. The public will have another option to
provide input at the public hearings in March. The hearings have not been
scheduled yet.
Advocating Tips
·
The sooner you provide your comments, the
better.. · Are there ways the proposed cuts will impact your community that TriMet has not considered? Think about who lives or works in your community, especially on routes directly served by the bus line that may be impacted. TriMet first considers cuts based on the total number of riders, but considers modifications based populations that may have high ridership because of the group they fall within (high school students, elderly & disabled, low-income residents, etc). Consider a strategy that informs TriMet about the type of rider that will be significantly impacted in your community – especially if TriMet does not show they have considered this group in their proposal. Though TriMet works with data to inform their proposal, the local residents and business owners often know their community best.
· For long-term strategies to benefit your community (when funding is better), start with reviewing the Transportation Investment Plan (http://trimet.org/tip/index.
If you have specific issues with bus shelters, stops,
routes etc. please contact Clay Thompson (503 962-6438, thompsoc@trimet.org). He can help direct
you to the right department.
Sincerely,
Angela Southwick
Community Resources Program Manager
Neighbors West-Northwest
2257 NW Raleigh St.
Portland, OR 97210
Find neighborhood events and
meetings online at www.nwnw.org/calendar
1 comment:
Fyi, Feb 15th is a Wednesday
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